High School Baseball:
Vineland Advances In Diamond Classic

Saturday, May 15, 1999

By Mike Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

In a game played at Washington Township on Saturday, Vineland rallied from three runs down to defeat Delran 6-5 and advance in the South Jersey Baseball Coaches Association Diamond Classic. Vineland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as catcher Angel Sanchez hit a two-run homer in the first inning. Delran tied the game in the third at 2-2 as Ted Trump smashed a twoÐrun homer.

Delran took a 5-2 lead in the fourth inning with Jeff Olivo getting the key hit with a bases loaded single. Trailing by three runs heading into the sixth inning, Sanchez started the winning rally with a walk. Next was Ricky Flores who would play a key role later on, singled on an 0-2 pitch, then Steve Gonzalez followed with an RBI double and it was 5-3. With runners on second and third, Jose Torres tied the game at 5-5 with a double and that would chase starting pitcher Olivo. With Ted Trump now pitching, Keith Dudley sacrificed and winning pitcher Lee Mercado singled and Vineland led 6-5. Delran had a chance to tie the game in their half of the sixth but had a runner thrown out at the plate.

With Flores now looking to close the door, Delran catcher Adam Carle led off the seventh with a walk. Next Justin Whisonant tried to bunt but popped up to Flores. After a hit-batsman, Bart Tripoli also attempted to bunt but again Flores made the catch. Now down to their final out, Chris Falato lined right back to the mound and Flores would make all three putouts and Vineland would advance.

Photos by Dan Cleary